Stay at home, Tifosi! 2023 Italian GP Preview

The 'Temple of Speed' and the 'Tifosi' - will this unique love affair and emotion be rewarded with success this weekend at the 2023 Italian Grand Prix?

That's what the tifosi and their beloved Scuderia Ferrari would be hoping for. But given Ferrari's form, the tifosi might be better off staying at home!

In this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah preview the 2023 Italian Grand Prix. Will Max Verstappen claim the record for 10 successive wins in Formula 1? Or can someone actually halt his race-winning streak? Of course, the 'curse of Monza' is yet to be broken. But VER losing due to the Monza curse would be pure cruel!

But which team will be second-fastest at Monza? McLaren and Aston Martin have had a straightline speed deficit. Will their upgrades bring them into play? If Ferrari keep fumbling, is Mercedes the default team to claim P2? Could Williams have an outside chance given their recent recovery?

Lots of narratives and emotions will be at play this weekend in Monza, and maybe some rain, too?

Tune in!

(Season 2023, Episode 45)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Ferrari

**Inside Line F1 Podcast: Previewing the 2023 Italian Grand Prix at Monza**

* **Key Points:**

1. **Monza's Significance:** The Italian Grand Prix at Monza holds a special place in Formula One history and is known as the "Temple of Speed." This year, the focus is on whether Max Verstappen can extend his winning streak to 10 consecutive races or if someone can break his dominance.

2. **Ferrari's Home Race:** The race weekend at Monza marks Ferrari's home race, and the team faces immense pressure to perform well in front of their passionate fans, known as the "tifosi." However, Ferrari has struggled for consistency this season, raising questions about their ability to deliver a strong result.

3. **Alternative Tire Allocation (ATA):** The Italian Grand Prix will feature an alternative tire allocation, with harder compounds in Q1, medium compounds in Q2, and softer compounds in Q3. This could lead to strategic variations and potentially shake up the qualifying order.

4. **Straight-Line Speed Battle:** Teams like McLaren and Aston Martin, which have struggled with straight-line speed, will look to their upgrades to improve their performance at Monza. Mercedes is considered the default contender for P2 if Ferrari falters, while Williams could be a surprise contender given their recent recovery.

5. **Qualifying Chaos:** Monza is notorious for its qualifying chaos, with drivers often struggling to maintain sensible track positions. The shorter circuit layout can lead to a train of cars, and drivers are eager to avoid being the first car out on track.

6. **Verstappen's Winning Streak:** There is speculation about whether Verstappen's impressive winning streak will continue at Monza. Some believe he will extend it to 10 consecutive wins, while others suggest that the Italian Grand Prix curse, where the previous year's winner fails to win the following year, may come into play.

7. **Underdog Performances:** Monza has a history of providing opportunities for underdog teams and drivers to shine. Alex Albon's recent success with Williams, despite their straight-line speed deficit, highlights the potential for surprises.

8. **Alpine's Momentum:** Alpine has shown strong momentum in the second half of the season and could be a contender for a good qualifying performance, especially with Pierre Gasly's recent impressive performances.

9. **Liam Lawson's Debut:** Liam Lawson will have an extended run with AlphaTauri due to Daniel Ricciardo's absence. Lawson's performance at Monza will be closely watched, as he aims to impress Red Bull and AlphaTauri and potentially secure a seat for 2024.

10. **Monza's Unique Atmosphere:** The Italian Grand Prix is known for its passionate atmosphere, with the tifosi creating a unique energy that enhances the race weekend experience.

11. **Live Event in Mumbai:** The Inside Line F1 Podcast will host a live event in Mumbai at Khar Social, featuring a quiz and a lively atmosphere for fans to enjoy the race together.

[00:00.000 -> 00:21.200] In life, expect the unexpected.
[00:21.200 -> 00:23.680] 2023 has been a crazy year in that regard.
[00:23.680 -> 00:25.680] There have only been a few constants that
[00:25.680 -> 00:30.160] have remained the same before last year but take a look at what's not been constant. Mr Qualifying,
[00:30.160 -> 00:34.960] George Russell, Mr Saturday as he's known is struggling in qualifying this year. The predictable
[00:34.960 -> 00:39.920] Sergio Perez is being totally unpredictable this season with barely any good consistent results all
[00:39.920 -> 00:46.640] the way through. The only consistent it seems is Ferrari making a mistake. And that hopefully is
[00:46.640 -> 00:51.360] not what we get to see this weekend because at last, they're back home. And the only thing that
[00:51.360 -> 00:56.720] I'm wondering this time out is how low is the bar for Ferrari to please its fans? It used to be a
[00:56.720 -> 01:02.240] championship. It then became a win, it then became a podium. And Carlos Sainz was satisfied with P5
[01:02.240 -> 01:05.760] in the last race. So the big question at the Italian GP as
[01:05.760 -> 01:11.760] we come back in is how low are the expectations for the Tifosi this time out Kunal. We could get
[01:11.760 -> 01:17.200] to see a podium without Ferrari in Monza. Will they boycott it? All things considered the Tifosi.
[01:17.200 -> 01:23.200] I mean that gorgeous podium, please don't boycott it for all the Italian fans listening in. Please go
[01:23.200 -> 01:25.560] celebrate Formula 1 for what it is.
[01:25.560 -> 01:28.480] Yes, we celebrated Max Verstappen in Sandford
[01:28.480 -> 01:30.680] and we've celebrated all the British drivers
[01:30.680 -> 01:32.400] and teams in Silverstone.
[01:32.400 -> 01:35.160] Yes, the result may not be celebratory
[01:35.160 -> 01:37.400] or celebration worthy this weekend,
[01:37.400 -> 01:40.400] but please celebrate Formula One arriving at what,
[01:40.400 -> 01:42.760] Samuel, it's called the Temple of Speed, isn't it?
[01:42.760 -> 01:44.760] Yeah, a Temple of Speed
[01:44.760 -> 01:48.320] and also a Temple of terrible qualifying mishaps. Let's hope
[01:48.320 -> 01:52.400] that that also does not happen because this time out, Sundaram, if we're talking about
[01:52.400 -> 01:57.200] other things that are expected and then that's not going out well, like Russell's qualifying
[01:57.200 -> 02:01.480] streak or Sergio Perez's predictability, I hope that this time out we're not going to
[02:01.480 -> 02:06.000] see the qualifying chaos that we tend to see with drivers struggling to
[02:06.000 -> 02:10.880] keep some degree of sensibility on the track because they all just don't want to be the first
[02:10.880 -> 02:15.680] car out on the train. And eventually we have a situation when nobody gets a good qualifying lap.
[02:15.680 -> 02:20.320] If we don't get that, I'll be so pleased. But there are more more places for chaos,
[02:20.320 -> 02:22.720] aren't there this time out? I think that's bound to happen,
[02:22.720 -> 02:28.720] especially when you go around shorter circuits. We saw that in Austria, we saw that at Zandvoort. It always tends to happen when
[02:28.720 -> 02:33.360] there's a very little gap between cars and that's possibly going to happen during qualifying this
[02:33.360 -> 02:38.000] time as well. But like you said, expect the unexpected. I'm straight away going to throw
[02:38.000 -> 02:44.000] a prediction. I feel this is going to be the race which ends Max Verstappen's winning streak. He's
[02:44.000 -> 02:45.440] going to be left with nine straight
[02:45.440 -> 02:49.760] wins and I probably also I'm going to be a little kind with Ferrari. I think they're going to be
[02:49.760 -> 02:54.640] having a decently or I can I think they're going to be having a good race weekend this time out.
[02:54.640 -> 03:00.160] Wow. No, no, no, no, no. I don't know which statement to react to. But yeah, that's two bombs
[03:00.800 -> 03:06.280] from Mr. F1 stats guru. No, but actually, let's do that. What do we all think is
[03:06.280 -> 03:11.200] gonna happen with Verstappen's streak? I believe that he is going to win every
[03:11.200 -> 03:16.240] single race until the very end. What do you guys think? I think he's gonna win
[03:16.240 -> 03:21.640] every single race as well. Maybe we can flip the question after Sundaram gives
[03:21.640 -> 03:26.620] an answer and maybe Sundaram is probably on that side where he doesn't think Max is gonna win all the races.
[03:26.620 -> 03:28.640] So if that's the case, Sundaram,
[03:28.640 -> 03:30.840] who do you think will actually be the driver
[03:30.840 -> 03:31.840] who will take a win?
[03:31.840 -> 03:35.080] So I obviously would rely on my numbers
[03:35.080 -> 03:37.360] to kind of say that Verstappen's not gonna be winning
[03:37.360 -> 03:39.880] all of the next nine races,
[03:39.880 -> 03:42.760] also because of the Italian Grand Prix curse.
[03:42.760 -> 03:45.920] So since 2020, every driver to win the Italian Grand Prix
[03:45.920 -> 03:52.160] has not won the next race here in the very next year. So Pierre Gasly in 2020, DNFed in 2021,
[03:52.160 -> 03:58.480] Ricciardo won in 2021, DNFed in 2022 and Max Ostaphen won last year. So I think this is going
[03:58.480 -> 04:04.080] to be the first place where probably Red Bull may not win it. But I also feel what happened in Brazil
[04:04.080 -> 04:06.880] last year, where they had just one practice session
[04:06.880 -> 04:08.660] and they didn't find the right setup.
[04:08.660 -> 04:11.560] That could also happen in tracks like Qatar
[04:11.560 -> 04:13.040] and also in Austin.
[04:13.040 -> 04:15.800] So I, but I really don't think it's going to be winning
[04:15.800 -> 04:17.240] next time races.
[04:17.240 -> 04:18.480] One second.
[04:18.480 -> 04:19.320] Wait a second.
[04:19.320 -> 04:20.140] Yeah, yeah.
[04:20.140 -> 04:21.960] That's the one second you, okay, you take it.
[04:21.960 -> 04:23.800] No, one sec.
[04:23.800 -> 04:25.320] So let's bet on this, right?
[04:25.320 -> 04:26.320] Quite clearly.
[04:26.320 -> 04:30.880] If we all are in big disagreement about what's going to happen, what are you going to do
[04:30.880 -> 04:32.300] if Vastapan ends up winning it all?
[04:32.300 -> 04:37.280] If he doesn't, I'm going to host an event at the next Insideline F1 pit stop with orange
[04:37.280 -> 04:38.280] hair dye.
[04:38.280 -> 04:41.280] What are you going to do Sundaram?
[04:41.280 -> 04:42.280] Wow.
[04:42.280 -> 04:44.560] If he doesn't win all of them.
[04:44.560 -> 04:50.160] Somal is inspired by Alexander Albin just because it's Monza coming up.
[04:50.160 -> 04:55.440] I possibly can't beat that, but I would just buy a Verstappen merch.
[04:55.440 -> 04:56.880] I would just buy some Verstappen merch.
[04:56.880 -> 05:02.280] I usually get a lot of Alonzo merch, but I'll probably buy a Verstappen Tee or something
[05:02.280 -> 05:03.280] of that sort.
[05:03.280 -> 05:04.280] Oh, Verstappen boxers.
[05:04.280 -> 05:06.920] That's going to be good. That will be more like it.
[05:06.920 -> 05:09.920] What are you willing to bet Kunal for this one?
[05:09.920 -> 05:13.920] So I anyway have bet what you have bet Somil that he will win all the races.
[05:13.920 -> 05:17.920] So do I still have to be a part of your reverse bet?
[05:17.920 -> 05:19.920] Okay, let's put it this way. Either way,
[05:19.920 -> 05:23.920] I can buy you guys and 10 of our listeners
[05:23.920 -> 05:27.380] drinks in the off-season when we host an off season
[05:27.380 -> 05:30.920] inside line club event in Mumbai or another city somewhere
[05:30.920 -> 05:32.640] because we're always planning other cities
[05:32.640 -> 05:34.880] as most of our listeners know.
[05:34.880 -> 05:37.340] But, but, but, but, but, yes, I've just bought beers
[05:37.340 -> 05:39.120] for a few people, a lot of people.
[05:40.640 -> 05:43.520] Carlos Sainz actually said last race,
[05:43.520 -> 05:46.360] which was just in Sanford he said that
[05:46.360 -> 05:50.360] Max will not win all the races and he wants to be one of the drivers to
[05:50.360 -> 05:54.760] actually win a race for Ferrari because Ferrari is actually capable of winning a
[05:54.760 -> 06:01.440] race I'm not making this up guys I am NOT making this up. He said the driver who has not been on the
[06:01.440 -> 06:06.080] podium yet is dreaming of breaking Max Verstappen's streak
[06:06.800 -> 06:13.840] in a Ferrari and he was happy with fifth last race. Too much serious talk.
[06:13.840 -> 06:18.560] We all can dream Sundaram, we all can dream. It's okay. Dreams are nice.
[06:21.760 -> 06:27.580] I have a dream as well. I have a dream that one day in the pay driver world championship, Logan Sargent is actually
[06:27.580 -> 06:29.840] going to end up beating Lance Stroll as well.
[06:29.840 -> 06:32.240] We almost had it last time out, but not quite enough.
[06:32.240 -> 06:33.840] So we can all dream, right?
[06:33.840 -> 06:35.560] There's no harm in foul.
[06:35.560 -> 06:36.560] Of course we could.
[06:36.560 -> 06:40.720] And I'm still dreaming to see Alonso's 33rd race win.
[06:40.720 -> 06:43.160] It's still a work in progress, but very interesting.
[06:43.160 -> 06:45.200] I might want to plug a very interesting stat over here.
[06:45.200 -> 06:49.920] Alonso has three second place finishes this year and seven podiums.
[06:49.920 -> 06:56.800] That's the same amount of podiums that Sergio Perez has in that Red Bull that's leading the Constructors' Championship.
[06:56.800 -> 07:03.440] Wow. Wow. That is… Yeah, let's not talk about Sergio Perez this time.
[07:03.440 -> 07:08.000] We have bashed him enough in the last episode about not being able to get past and get a
[07:08.000 -> 07:09.160] big win in that.
[07:09.160 -> 07:12.240] But qualifying is going to be different this time around, Sundaram, because we have the
[07:12.240 -> 07:16.520] alternate tyre allocation and that could change things around quite a fair bit.
[07:16.520 -> 07:20.640] Now, folks, if you're not familiar with the rule, we're going to have the hard compounds
[07:20.640 -> 07:24.200] in Q1, medium compounds in Q2 and the soft compounds in Q3.
[07:24.200 -> 07:25.200] So progressively, the rubber gets softer and the soft compounds in Q3. So progressively,
[07:25.200 -> 07:29.440] the rubber gets softer and the drivers have to deal with it a little bit more. And that could
[07:29.440 -> 07:33.680] be interesting because some teams are not the best with some compounds. Like I remember the last time
[07:33.680 -> 07:38.640] out we had it, Ferrari in Hungary weren't quite the best with the hearts and so Carlos Sainz
[07:38.640 -> 07:43.360] struggled. Let's hope it's not similar this time out, otherwise a hundred thousand people will
[07:43.360 -> 07:46.840] throw their red flags onto the circuit and beat a few people up on the way back.
[07:46.840 -> 07:50.200] But nevertheless, it could spice things up quite a fair bit.
[07:50.200 -> 07:56.280] Yeah, I think the ATA or the alternative tire allocation is just another way to spice things
[07:56.280 -> 07:57.960] up, which is good.
[07:57.960 -> 08:02.520] They of course say it's a way to use less or fewer tires, which is fine if that's what
[08:02.520 -> 08:09.040] eventually works, because like Lewis pointed out, you want to try and save on the dry tires when there are races where they bring all
[08:09.040 -> 08:12.080] the full wets and inters and then just throw them off later.
[08:12.080 -> 08:16.200] So it depends how we want to sort of see this whole tire saving thing.
[08:16.200 -> 08:19.720] Everybody wants to save tires because the one thing that needs to be saved in Formula
[08:19.720 -> 08:27.400] One, whether it's on track or off it, our tires, right? But the ETA is another interesting thing
[08:27.400 -> 08:31.840] because every time we have seen things not be correct,
[08:33.320 -> 08:34.280] Checo Perez struggles.
[08:34.280 -> 08:36.440] Yes, you said don't pile on to Checo Perez,
[08:36.440 -> 08:39.320] but we just have to, but forget all of this.
[08:39.320 -> 08:41.800] I think, yes, Max will get a 10th win
[08:41.800 -> 08:47.800] and whatever and whatever, but the star of the weekend. It's actually going to be Alexander Alban.
[08:48.000 -> 08:57.100] Yeah, that Williams is a rocket ship on the straight. I used to love seeing, you know, drivers with the DRS open could still not overtake Williams.
[08:57.100 -> 09:04.000] So I really hope that they bring the car that does well on low downforce configurations because clearly in Sunfoot,
[09:04.100 -> 09:11.440] they brought a car that did well in high downforce configurations. I think the real test for them this weekend,
[09:11.440 -> 09:15.920] Sundaram, is going to be how good Logan Sargent is, because if Logan Sargent can have a good
[09:15.920 -> 09:21.600] weekend, they have done something right with that car, all things considered. But that's the fun
[09:21.600 -> 09:25.520] part of it all. We just don't know how things are going to go and where Williams might pop out.
[09:26.080 -> 09:29.320] We spoke about our prediction in the preseason episode,
[09:29.320 -> 09:30.480] rather the midseason episode,
[09:30.680 -> 09:32.880] that we talked about the potential stories to watch for.
[09:33.040 -> 09:38.960] And we couldn't quite imagine that Alex Salmon could get a Q3 in a Williams at Sanford.
[09:38.960 -> 09:41.840] But he's gone on and gotten a top five, which is mind-blowing.
[09:41.920 -> 09:50.160] If anything, Monza is going to be the place where he's most likely to get something of that sort but the ATA could spice things up. Maybe we could see the McLarens having
[09:50.160 -> 09:54.960] a tricky time as well because straight lines haven't quite been their best form. So lots of
[09:54.960 -> 10:00.400] chaos. Top six, we had six different cars in qualifying in Zandvoort. I can only hope that
[10:00.400 -> 10:04.720] there's something quite like that this time out. Oh absolutely and talking about Williams,
[10:02.560 -> 10:08.080] hope that there's something quite like that this time out. Oh, absolutely. And talking about Williams, they have often, they often tend to do this
[10:08.080 -> 10:13.040] where they focus on qualifying and track position, and then they let their advantage on the straights
[10:13.040 -> 10:17.840] work out during the race. So that's what something that could work out. Williams could make it to Q3
[10:17.840 -> 10:23.440] and we could see a long Alex Albon DRS train through the race only because of the fact that
[10:23.440 -> 10:25.000] that car is so efficient on
[10:25.000 -> 10:29.120] the straights and that could work in reverse for McLaren where they would literally be
[10:29.120 -> 10:34.000] eaten up by every other competitor on track when it comes on to straights but they fared
[10:34.000 -> 10:39.800] well I do have to say they did fare well in Austria as well so it's going to be interesting
[10:39.800 -> 10:44.760] to see how that car turns up and how well they do in qualifying especially.
[10:44.760 -> 10:45.440] You know, Lando
[10:45.440 -> 10:51.240] Norris and Oscar Piastri were invoking cutting the rear wing manually with a saw to sort
[10:51.240 -> 10:56.920] of flatten it out for Monza, but I think Monza's McLaren's upgrades will help in the straight
[10:56.920 -> 11:03.320] line speeds out there and that will be epic. Even straight line speeds, Aston Martin has
[11:03.320 -> 11:05.600] issues with straight line speed advantage
[11:05.600 -> 11:10.600] or disadvantage as well so who will be in P2 that's going to be the question Ferrari won't
[11:10.600 -> 11:15.600] want to be there will McLaren and Aston Martin have the car to be there and if not is it
[11:15.600 -> 11:17.360] just Mercedes by default?
[11:17.360 -> 11:21.360] Yeah yeah and qualifying hasn't quite been their main strength and every single time
[11:21.360 -> 11:28.000] at least in the last year of cars passing at Monza has been their major problem because I remember they never quite used to get their tyres warmed
[11:28.000 -> 11:32.420] up and the car wasn't quite designed to manage the heat that you get from the dirty air.
[11:32.420 -> 11:35.620] I know it's a different generation of car but those sort of memories will badly end
[11:35.620 -> 11:37.560] up haunting Lewis Hamilton as well.
[11:37.560 -> 11:41.480] But normally Sundaram, PA Gasly has done a good job over there.
[11:41.480 -> 11:50.240] Alpine in the long straights as well have come across well because they go all out, right. They have to go for the extreme low drag approach because their horsepower
[11:50.240 -> 11:54.880] from the engine is what 15 horsepower down. So they could also come out with some crazy
[11:54.880 -> 11:59.360] qualifying performances that will be interesting to watch for, especially after the momentum is
[11:59.360 -> 12:11.200] really on their side after the last race in Zanvod. I think Alpine has been one of the more unpredictable teams. They fared extremely well in Monaco and around that time and they had a couple of upgrades on
[12:11.200 -> 12:17.120] the car and then they kind of tapered away also because of what was happening off track. But after
[12:17.120 -> 12:22.080] that break, they've started off the second half very well and this could once again be one of
[12:22.080 -> 12:25.640] those strikes where anyone just turns up and
[12:25.640 -> 12:30.960] has a good qualifying and a good race. So in that sense, it's possible that PA Gasly
[12:30.960 -> 12:35.560] especially is able to maintain that momentum and put that Alpine into Q3. I think that's
[12:35.560 -> 12:37.600] going to be the first target for them.
[12:37.600 -> 12:42.560] Yeah. And then build upon things as they come about. And sometimes even getting that done
[12:42.560 -> 12:48.160] is going to be a major, major achievement for but let's not forget this is also technically Alfa
[12:48.160 -> 12:52.920] Tauri and Alfa Romeo's home race as well so we never really talk about that but
[12:52.920 -> 12:55.760] that's also one thing to watch for and this time out they haven't quite
[12:55.760 -> 12:59.400] announced a special livery yet at the time of recording neither team so let's
[12:59.400 -> 13:03.960] see what happens in that regard but I am also very curious to see what Liam
[13:03.960 -> 13:07.760] Lawson can do this car isn't quite the best in the world right let's be very honest so the
[13:07.760 -> 13:12.280] bar is pretty low but nonetheless it's always super exciting to see what a
[13:12.280 -> 13:15.900] rookie can do in a race weekend like this one where there is no pressure no
[13:15.900 -> 13:20.560] expectation but then maybe that could be the fun part can Liam Lawson deliver at
[13:20.560 -> 13:24.420] a weekend where the bar is so low for him can he at least at least end up
[13:24.420 -> 13:25.720] beating the horses a good point there because the bar is so low for him? Can he at least, at least end up beating the horses?
[13:25.720 -> 13:30.720] A good point there because the fact is what it seemed like might be a one-off race for
[13:30.720 -> 13:35.320] Liam Lawson seems that he might get an extended run because Daniel Ricciardo is still out
[13:35.320 -> 13:40.300] and the team have just announced a while ago that Liam Lawson is going to be driving alongside
[13:40.300 -> 13:44.840] Yuki until Ricciardo recovers. So that might give him a little bit more breathing space
[13:44.840 -> 13:47.600] and try and grow into that environment with the team,
[13:47.600 -> 13:48.680] try to understand the car,
[13:48.680 -> 13:50.680] and have a few more opportunities
[13:50.680 -> 13:53.560] to impress everyone at Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
[13:53.560 -> 13:55.400] So I think that's definitely gonna work for him.
[13:55.400 -> 13:58.040] He had a very good race at Zandvoort,
[13:58.040 -> 14:00.520] and this also might be the best chance for him to say,
[14:00.520 -> 14:02.920] hey, I'm also available for 2024,
[14:02.920 -> 14:05.000] and it's not just Daniel Ricardo.
[14:05.000 -> 14:08.440] And also remember, Lawson finished higher than Yuki Sunoda.
[14:08.440 -> 14:14.160] Now, I have to, you also have to consider the fact that Sunoda did get a late race penalty.
[14:14.160 -> 14:18.440] But all things considered, Liam Lawson had a very good first outing.
[14:18.440 -> 14:22.200] And Monza could just be the place where debutants really get a good job done.
[14:22.200 -> 14:25.240] Just ask De Vries how that works out.
[14:25.240 -> 14:26.760] Oh, wait, don't do that.
[14:26.760 -> 14:27.600] Bad idea.
[14:27.600 -> 14:29.840] Shh, let's not talk about that.
[14:29.840 -> 14:31.320] But all things considered,
[14:31.320 -> 14:33.840] it is going to be a very, very chaotic weekend at Monza.
[14:33.840 -> 14:35.440] Watch for what happens in qualifying
[14:35.440 -> 14:36.920] with the drama for the draft.
[14:36.920 -> 14:39.040] Let's hope that's not a major factor.
[14:39.040 -> 14:41.440] Let's hope the drivers are able to keep it clean
[14:41.440 -> 14:42.560] into turn one and two.
[14:42.560 -> 14:44.540] But also Sundaram, that key touch point,
[14:44.540 -> 14:46.040] turn three and turn four,
[14:46.040 -> 14:48.200] drivers always go hard over there.
[14:48.200 -> 14:51.640] Yes, it tightens in badly in the mid part of the circuit,
[14:51.640 -> 14:53.580] which is why we've seen many, many clashes
[14:53.580 -> 14:55.480] like that of Hamilton and Charles de Klerk
[14:55.480 -> 14:56.760] go very, very wrong.
[14:56.760 -> 14:58.680] And also, Julien Bavard and Fernando Alonso,
[14:58.680 -> 15:00.120] if you guys remember that as well.
[15:00.120 -> 15:02.160] But that's the best part about this.
[15:02.160 -> 15:05.040] We can get hardcore racing at Monza,
[15:09.440 -> 15:14.400] but we don't get it enough. We've seen it sometimes here and there in the middle, 2019, 2021 with Ricardo and Leclerc, Ricardo Norris, I'm sorry, as well. And then also 2017 with Palmer
[15:14.400 -> 15:18.960] and Alonso. So there is a possibility of that happening, but let's hope that they can keep
[15:18.960 -> 15:23.280] close because when you get good racing at Monza with the draft, there's nothing quite like it.
[15:23.280 -> 15:27.280] This circuit always delivers great racing action no matter what.
[15:27.280 -> 15:28.280] Well, absolutely.
[15:28.280 -> 15:31.880] It's one of the most historic races on the F1 calendar.
[15:31.880 -> 15:34.600] It's always been there in the sport.
[15:34.600 -> 15:37.760] And I think there's a different sort of energy when it comes to the Italian Grand Prix.
[15:37.760 -> 15:42.480] When you talk about Monza, there's definitely a different sort of atmosphere that happens
[15:42.480 -> 15:43.480] within the fans.
[15:43.480 -> 15:50.640] The tifosi is going to be there. And like you mentioned, we've always not seen the best of racing in recent years,
[15:50.640 -> 15:55.200] especially when it comes to overtaking. I mean, it just takes me back to what happened in 2020.
[15:55.200 -> 16:01.520] P.A. Gasly was leading, Carlo Sainz is pressuring him for P1, but he's not able to get past him. So
[16:01.520 -> 16:09.840] overtaking can be a little tricky at times times but otherwise the sort of energy that comes in for this race weekend itself I think it should compensate
[16:09.840 -> 16:13.760] for everything else. Yeah that's the best part about Monza isn't it? All the energy,
[16:13.760 -> 16:18.120] all the excitement from everyone and we're also going to have a really fun live event
[16:18.120 -> 16:22.600] Mumbai as well folks for all of you joining in. It's going to be at Car Social which is
[16:22.600 -> 16:25.700] always the ultimate party place to watch a Grand Prix as well.
[16:25.700 -> 16:30.500] So sign up by clicking on the link in the description of this episode to join us.
[16:30.500 -> 16:34.500] And F1 Stats Guru is going to be there. Sundaram, we always have a really fun quiz.
[16:34.500 -> 16:39.500] And last time out in Zandvoort at the Bose Today Show, people were fighting in passion.
[16:39.500 -> 16:42.800] This is Monza. Passion is always at another level over here.
[16:42.800 -> 16:48.920] So I'm pretty sure that that show is is gonna be kick-ass as well. Oh absolutely so I am definitely looking to
[16:48.920 -> 16:53.000] see all of you join us at Khar social it's gonna be yet again an interesting
[16:53.000 -> 16:57.780] race and a very very difficult quiz for you people to get past so always prep
[16:57.780 -> 17:00.920] and come for my quizzes and I'm definitely sure they're gonna have a
[17:00.920 -> 17:08.480] good time. Indeed folks so check out the link in the description link in the description to see how you can join us but thank you for listening to this episode
[17:08.480 -> 17:13.360] and let's hope Monza delivers as always. See you on Sunday folks if you are in Mumbai
[17:13.360 -> None] but otherwise we'll be back for the race review on Monday. Take care everyone, have fun, bye. you